District 8 heads to runoff

Updated 3:49 pm, Sunday, May 12, 2013

Rolando Briones examines early results with Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff at his election night party. Briones touted his experience of having served on several city commissions in his run.

Rolando Briones examines early results with Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff at his election night party. Briones touted his experience of having served on several city commissions in his run.

Photo: Photos By Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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Ron Nirenberg, being congratulated at his election night party, took the most votes in his race, despite being easily outspent by opponent Rolando Briones.

Ron Nirenberg, being congratulated at his election night party, took the most votes in his race, despite being easily outspent by opponent Rolando Briones.

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Ron Nirenberg looks at early results with supporters Betty Sutherland (right) and Bonnie Conner at his election night party on May 11, 2013.

Ron Nirenberg looks at early results with supporters Betty Sutherland (right) and Bonnie Conner at his election night party on May 11, 2013.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

District 8 heads to runoff

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In a race marked by big spending and fierce campaigning, neither Rolando Briones nor Ron Nirenberg could secure a majority of the vote in the three-way race for the District 8 City Council seat.

The two will go head to head June 15 in a runoff. Mike Kueber, a third candidate who vowed not to raise or spend any money, garnered more than 5 percent of the vote — enough to force the two front-runners into the runoff.

Briones did not return phone calls Saturday seeking comment. Nirenberg said he felt good about the race.

“The community support has been overwhelming, and the results of the election in which we were outspent 4-to-1 is totally encouraging,” he said.

Starting Sunday, his campaign will focus on June 15.

“We'll continue to do exactly what we were doing: address the challenges of the community in an open and honest way,” he said.

The race turned contentious when Briones and Nirenberg began criticizing each other's public service records. Briones touted his longstanding experience of having served on several city commissions, and Nirenberg countered that Briones unethically traded on his service.

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The race for the seat held by Reed Williams began shortly after the councilman announced in January 2012 that he wouldn't run for re-election.

It could easily become the most expensive council race in city history.

Briones outspent Nirenberg 4-to-1, according to campaign finance reports. Since 2012, Nirenberg has spent about $68,000 and Briones has spent almost $304,000 — not including any expenses incurred in the past week.

In an unheard-of maneuver for local council races, Briones bought commercials on network television late in the race. It's the most expensive form of advertising and can't be targeted to a single council district or specific area of town.